Comparison Between Egyptian and Japanese Architecture

Early forms of Japanese architecture shared a close relationship with Korean architecture between 665-57 BC.
The distinct Japanese architecture was fully developed during the fifth century A.D.

Function

Religious beliefs of eternal life, resulted in an impressive sepulchral architecture, tomb building started as soon as a Pharaoh was named, and continued throughout his life until his death. Massive, static, and serene architecture emerged from the need to obtain stability in stone walls

Large doors and windows situated for the most advantageous viewing of external gardens or artwork

Multiple levels - reaching higher than 80 meters

Materials

- Building stones - were used in monumental buildings
- Wood - rarely used as a building material, since there are no natural resources of wood in Egypt- Bricks - sun dried bricks were used extensively in dwellings and small buildings, few examples have therefore survived time.

- Extensive use of wood
- Stones and bricks rarely used - there is little stone for building or carving in Japan.

Durability

Monumental temples, tombs and pyramids made of durable stones have survived thousand of years

Japanese architecture is best exemplified by the shrines of the Shinto. These shrines were customarily destroyed every 20 years and then rebuilt in an exact replica of the previous shrine.

Techniques

The basic construction method was post and lintel.

Buildings were erected without mortar, so the stones had to fit and cut precisely together.

Ramps were used to allow workmen to carry stones to the top of structures - as height was added, the ramp was raised.

Wooden construction elements

Old Kingdom Architecture

Archtecture is entirely sepulchral, chiefly the tombs of monarchs and nobles.

Mastabas - the oldest remaining form of sepulcher; it is a rectangular, flat-roofed structure with sloping walls containing chambers built over the mummy pit.

Old Kingdom Pyramids - The pyramid of a sovereign was begun as soon as he ascended the throne, The Giza pyramid complex, are the best known.

Houses were constructed from mud bricks, this method of construction of secular buildings continued through out the entire history of Egypt

Middle Kingdom Architecture

Architecture remains mainly sepulchral

Beni Hasan - Tombs tunneled out of the rock cliffs on the west bank of the Nile